Fracking tests for Glazebury dropped

TESTS to see whether the area around Glazebury could hold shale gas leading to the highly controversial process of fracking coming to town have been cancelled.

Tesla, the company who were due to conduct the testing on behalf of IGas, has written to Warrington Borough Council to inform them it will not be running the test.

The letter said: “IGas Energy PLC has made the decision not to proceed with the seismic survey as detailed and confirmed under said notification, until such time as a full and complete interpretation of data acquired from its recently drilled Barton Moss exploration well has been concluded.”

When they first announced the plan to conduct the 'three dimensional seismic survey' taking in the area of Glazebury it caused a storm of protest from residents, campaigners and politicians.

IGas themselves at the time said it had not asked for the seismic tests to be carried out.

But the threat of potential works in the area which is the borough’s closest point to Barton Moss where IGas has been conducting studies caused outrage.

Speaking after the withdrawal from Tesla, Warrington North MP Helen Jones said: “This is excellent news but we must remain vigilant.

"The Tory MP for Warrington South has already suggested Warrington could become the “fracking capital” of the north west. My constituents are clear that they do not wish to see an unproven system operating in their area.”

The move was also cautiously welcomed by green campaigners in Warrington.

Dina Kingsnorth-Baird, from Warrington Friends of the Earth added: "Given the increasing public concern about fracking in the area this news brings temporary relief.

Promoted stories

"But Igas have not dropped any plans to frack in neighbouring Barton Moss and say they may reapply to survey the Warrington area in the future.

Share article

“So the potential pollution of our drinking water, the risk of earthquakes and the contribution it makes to climate change all remain significant threats. We must keep up the momentum against this dirty industry.”

A meeting on fracking and the greener alternatives to energy has been organised by community groups which will take place today, Thursday from 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House, on Buttermarket Street.

Promoted Stories

Comments (2)

Will the Greens actually inform us how we can produce enough energy to satisfy current demand, without it becoming unaffordable. Bearing in mind it is industry that consumes most. Just get a bit fed up being told we must explore greener alternatives. I know that bit. It's the answer they need to provide.

Will the Greens actually inform us how we can produce enough energy to satisfy current demand, without it becoming unaffordable. Bearing in mind it is industry that consumes most.
Just get a bit fed up being told we must explore greener alternatives. I know that bit. It's the answer they need to provide.grey-area

Will the Greens actually inform us how we can produce enough energy to satisfy current demand, without it becoming unaffordable. Bearing in mind it is industry that consumes most. Just get a bit fed up being told we must explore greener alternatives. I know that bit. It's the answer they need to provide.

Score: 3

neilrk says...10:35am Thu 10 Jul 14

IGas clearly have Glazebury in their sights. They may have put a temporary pause on more progress there right now, but they also say they may be back later. So not a great relief for us in Warrington really. At the public meeting tonight we'll have speakers setting out a number of reasons to stay concerned about fracking for the area and beyond and they'll also address what alternatives might be out there for us. Worth coming along to hear what they have to say. It's fully open to anyone, no matter what you think about fracking. 7pm at the Friends Meeting House, Buttermarket Street in the town centre.

IGas clearly have Glazebury in their sights. They may have put a temporary pause on more progress there right now, but they also say they may be back later. So not a great relief for us in Warrington really. At the public meeting tonight we'll have speakers setting out a number of reasons to stay concerned about fracking for the area and beyond and they'll also address what alternatives might be out there for us. Worth coming along to hear what they have to say. It's fully open to anyone, no matter what you think about fracking. 7pm at the Friends Meeting House, Buttermarket Street in the town centre.neilrk

IGas clearly have Glazebury in their sights. They may have put a temporary pause on more progress there right now, but they also say they may be back later. So not a great relief for us in Warrington really. At the public meeting tonight we'll have speakers setting out a number of reasons to stay concerned about fracking for the area and beyond and they'll also address what alternatives might be out there for us. Worth coming along to hear what they have to say. It's fully open to anyone, no matter what you think about fracking. 7pm at the Friends Meeting House, Buttermarket Street in the town centre.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here